An ectopic pregnancy is important to be aware of, as some women experience this pregnancy complication. In a normal pregnancy, a fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus. With an ectopic pregnancy, the fertilized egg implants and grows outside the uterus.
An ectopic pregnancy cannot continue normally but requires immediate medical treatment. If left untreated, it can be life-threatening to a woman.
What Are the Symptoms?
Symptoms could take a little bit of time to show in an ectopic pregnancy, but some signs could be similar to those in normal pregnancy, such as:
- A missed period
- Breast tenderness
- Nausea
When to Seek Medical Help
According to the Mayo Clinic, early warning signs of ectopic pregnancy may include:
- Light vaginal bleeding
- Pelvic pain
- Shoulder pain or
- An urge to have a bowel movement
Lastly, emergency symptoms of this life-threatening complication include extreme lightheadedness, fainting, and shock. It’s essential to seek medical help with any type of symptom. Treatment is needed to help protect a woman’s health.
Can You Prevent Ectopic Pregnancy?
While you can’t necessarily prevent an ectopic pregnancy, there are ways to decrease your risk, including:
- Limiting your sexual partners helps to prevent sexually transmitted infections and may reduce the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease.
- Try not to smoke. If you do, quit before trying for pregnancy.
Why Ultrasounds Matter
An ultrasound can help detect a possible ectopic pregnancy and help determine what your pregnancy options are. Be sure not to skip this step of pregnancy verification after receiving no-cost pregnancy testing at our clinic today.
We offer no-cost ultrasounds for women to get answers. Contact us today to set up your initial appointment. You are never alone.